Councillor will support submarine restoration

LETTER OF THE DAY: Public should have a say over sea defence project

A COUNCILLOR will swap leaflets for running shoes when he runs the London Marathon this weekend.

Cllr Wayne Ronayne of Gosport Borough Council will be running to raise cash towards the £6.75m restoration of HMS Alliance, the only surviving British Second World War era submarine and memorial for 5,300 submariners who lost their lives in service.

The submarine is at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport.

Former sailor Cllr Ronayne said: ‘Training is progressing well despite some aches and pains. I have been using the Virgin Intermediate training plan and hope this works on the day. HMS Alliance is a fitting tribute to those who have given their lives.’

Cllr Ronayne is in a team of five running the marathon for the submarine fund, which has raised £2,367 so far.